USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > Governors for three hundred years, 1638-1959; Rhode Island and Providence Plantations > Part 24
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GOVERNORS OF RHODE ISLAND
285
CHARLES WARREN LIPPITT
Governor: 1895-1897.
Born: October 8, 1846 in Providence, Rhode Island.
Died: April 4, 1924 in Harmon-in-Hudson, New York.
Buried: Providence, R. I. Swan Point Cemetery. Lot 1, Group 260 River Avenue.
LIPPITT, CHARLES WARREN, fortieth governor of Rhode Island (1895-97) , was born in Providence. R. I., Oct. 8. 1846. eldest son of Henry and Mary Ann (Balch) Lippitt, grandson of Warren and Eliza (Seamans) Lippitt. He is a lineal descendant of John Lippitt, a land-holder in the Providence Plantations in 1638; in the ninth genera- tion from Roger Williams the founder of Rhode Island; in the seventh generation from John Cushing, judge of the superior court of judicature of Massachusetts (1728-37), and in the tenth generation from Samuel Gorton, founder of Warwick, R. I. After his gradu- ation at Brown University, in 1865, he pursued a post-graduate course with private tu- tors in Providence and at Cambridge, and afterwards traveled extensively in America and in Europe.
In 1869 he commenced business in his father's office in connection with the Social Manufacturing Co., the Lippitt Woolen Co., and the Silver Spring Bleaching and Dye- ing Co. In 1871 he was elected treasurer of the Silver Spring Bleaching and Dyeing Co. He was elected president of the Franklin Lyceum in 1875-76. During the term of Henry Lippitt. his father, as governor of Rhode Island (1875-77), he served as colonel and chief of his personal staff. For a number of years he was a member of the executive com- mittee of the Providence board of trade, in 1878, 1879, 1880 was elected first vice-presi- dent, and in 1881-82 president. In 1880 he was elected vice-president of the National board of trade. During 1878-84 he served three years as secretary, two years as vice-president and one year as president of the Providence Commercial Club, declining a re-election as presi- dent. In 1880 he was elected president of the Garfield and Arthur Republican Club of the second ward, Providence. After the death of his father, in 1891, he was elected presi- dent of the Social Manufacturing Co. He also succeeded his father, in 1891. as a director of the Rhode Island National Bank of Providence. In 1895 he was elected vice-president, and in 1896 president, of the bank.
His entire business life has been passed in connection with manufacturing enterprises conducted within the state of Rhode Island. In 1894 he was chairman of the Rhode Island Republican state convention. At various times he has served as chairman of Republican city and congressional conventions, and has always been identified with the Republican party. In 1895 and 1896 he was elected governor of the state of Rhode Island. At the Re- publican national convention in 1896 he was a candidate for the position of vice-presi- dent, receiving the unanimous support of his state delegation for the position.
Gov. Lippitt, on the 4th of July, 1895. delivered the oration before the Rhode Island Society of the Cincinnati, of which he was a member. In February. 1896, by invitation of the Union League Club of Brooklyn, N. Y., he delivered the principal address at the meeting on the anniversary of Lincoln's birth. In May. 1896. he delivered an address upon the tariff before the Republican Club of New York city, which was afterwards printed and circulated as a campaign document in the national election of that year. In 1896, by invitation of the city of Cleveland, O., he delivered the oration on Perry's victory day, Sept. 10th of that year, at the centennial celebration of Cleveland. At the request of the
THREE HUNDRED YEARS OF
286
HON. CHARLES WARREN LIPPITT 1895-1897 By H. Cyrus Farnum Southeast Corridor Second Floor of State House
Swan Point Cemetery Providence, R. I.
national Republican committee, Gov. Lippitt delivered a number of addresses in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in support of President Mckinley, and closed the cam- paign in Philadelphia before a large and enthusiastic audience.
He was married in Providence, February, 1886, to Margaret Barbara, daughter of Alexander and Charlott Barbara (Ormsbee) Farnum, and had six children.
GOVERNORS OF RHODE ISLAND
287
ELISHA DYER JR.
Governor: 1897 to 1900.
War Service: Sergeant, Field Artillery, Civil War.
Born: November 28, 1839 in Providence, Rhode Island.
Died: November 29, 1906 in Providence, Rhode Island.
Buried: Providence, R. I. Swan Point Cemetery. Lot 1, Group 196 Beach Avenue.
DYER, ELISHA, forty-first governor of Rhode Island (1897-1900) , was born in Provi- dence, R. I. Nov. 29, 1839, son of Hon, Elisha and Anna Jones (Hoppin) Dyer. His father was governor of the state in 1857-59. He entered Brown University in 1858, but two years later went to Germany for a course at the School of Mines, Freiburg, Saxony, and at the University of Giessen, where he was graduated the same year with the degree of Ph.D. He returned to Providence in the autumn of 1860.
In 1856-58 he was connected with the 1st light infantry company, state militia, as a private; in April, 1858, being commissioned colonel and aide-de-camp on his father's staff. He was one of the first in the state to enlist when President Lincoln called for three months' volunteers, and as fourth sergeant of Capt. Tompkins' battery of Rhode Island light ar. tillery, started for Washington. On April 18, 1861, while in charge of unloading the bat- tery at Easton, Pa., he was injured and a few days later was overcome with heat, and was discharged on surgeon's certificate. He never fully recovered. In 1862 he was re-elected lieutenant of the marine artillery, one of the oldest military organizations, having held that position before entering the army.
In May of that year the battery reenlisted, and Lieut. Dyer desired to accompany it, but was rejected on the ground of physical disability. He was, however, appointed major by Gov. Sprague and detailed to aid in recruiting and drilling men for the battery. On Sept. 28, 1861, he was commissioned lieutenant and commissary, Providence marine corps of artillery, and served until June 7, 1862, being then commissioned major by Gov. Sprague to fill a temporary vacancy. In 1863-66 he was colonel and aide-de-camp on the staff of Gov. James Y. Smith. In 1867 the marine artillery company was reorganized and he en- tered the ranks as corporal. Two years later he was elected lieutenant-colonel, command- ing the company, but in 1871 resigned. In 1872-74 he was again commander. In 1875, un- der a new militia law, the artillery of Rhode Island was consolidated and he became com- mander of the battalion. In 1875-78 he was a member of the board of examiners of the state militia. In 1882-95 he was adjutant-general of the state, with the rank of brigadier- general. Being relieved from active duty at his own request, he was retired with the rank of brigadier-general.
As adjutant-general he made many changes and improvements in the equipment of the military organizations; organized a machine-gun battery and the naval bat- talion; by direction of the general assembly, corrected and completed the war records of the state, and served as the first secretary of the state board of soldiers' relief, and subse- quently as a member of the board.
THREE HUNDRED YEARS OF
288
HON. ELISHA DYER JR. 1897-1900 By Hugo Breul Southeast Corridor Second Floor of State House
Swan Point Cemetery Providence, R. I.
GOVERNORS OF RHODE ISLAND
289
In 1877 he was elected to the state senate from North Kingstown, and served on the judiciary committee and as chairman of the committee on militia. In 1878 he was appoint- ed by a convention of militia officers one of a commission to report a new militia law to the general assembly. In 1877 Gov. Van Zandt appointed him a member of the joint select com- mittee on the reception of President Hayes and his cabinet. In 1878-83 he was a member of the state board of health for Washington county, in which North Kingstown, one of his places of residence, was situated. In 1880-81 he was a representative to the general assem- bly from the fourth ward of Providence. In 1888-97 he was a member of the school commit- tee of Providence. In 1890-92 he served on the board of aldermen. For several years he was a member of the financial committee of the Rhode Island Society for the Encourage- ment of Domestic Industry. He had been a director of the Union Bank and of the Union Savings Bank of Providence.
He was elected governor on the Republican ticket in 1897, 1898 and 1899, on the sec- ond occasion polling the largest plurality ever given any candidate for the office.
Gov. Dyer was married in Providence, R. I. Nov. 26, 1861, to Nancy Anthony, daugh- ter of William and Mary D. (Anthony) Viall. They had three sons: Elisha, Jr., of New York; George R. a major of the 12th New York volunteers in the Spanish-American war; and Hezekiah Anthony, an artist of Providence. Gov. Dyer died at Providence, R. I. Nov. 29, 1906.
THREE HUNDRED YEARS OF
290
CHARLES COLLINS VAN ZANDT (Continued from Page 268)
campaigns. At the Chicago Convention, 1868, that nominated General Grant for the Presidency, he was Chairman of the State Delegation, as he also was at the Republican Convention in 1876, that nominated' President Hayes.
His literary ability, scholarly attainments, broad political principles and Christian urbanity have been apparent throughout his public career. Numerous have been his orations and poems, before literary societies, and his addresses at mass meetings and po- litical assemblies, State conventions, temperance conventions, and benevolent and social gatherings. Special praise was awarded to his orations delivered at the laying of the corner- stone of the State monument for soldiers and sailors that fell in the Civil War, and at the semi-centennial of the Rhode Island Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Indus- try; also to his poems delivered before the Literary Societies and Alumni of Brown Uni- versity, Dartmouth College, Colby University, Waterville College, Norwich University and Trinity College, his poem delivered before the Army of the Potomac and the Grand Army of the Republic at New Haven, and the Centennial Poem before St. John's Lodge of Rhode Island. Rhode Island has never had a readier and more pleasing extempora- neous speaker-a man equal to all occasions-than Governor Van Zandt. President Hayes offered him the position of United States Minister to Russia, but he declined the honor.
He was attendant of the Congregational Church. On the 12th of February, 1863, he married Arazelia Greene, daughter of the well-known poet, Albert G. Greene, one of the Presidents of the Rhode Island Historical society.
DANIEL RUSSELL BROWN (Continued from Page 284)
A special election was held in November to decide on an amendment to the consti- tution, making election to the governorship depend upon a plurality vote, and on Dec. 4th, Gov. Brown announced its adoption by an overwhelming vote. At the January, 1894, session of the assembly, the house of representatives declared that Gov. Brown was not elected in 1893, but invited him together with the senate to meet it in grand com- mittee, and canvass the votes cast the year previous. The senate, as before, refused, and the house declared that as this refusal was a violation of the constitution, and as certain ballots had been illegally thrown out. as claimed, the senate was in rebellion, the Republican officials, were usurpers, and that a Republican form of government did not exist in the state. The Democrats, at their state convention in 1894, charged that the U. S. senatorship had been bought "in combination with an ambitious man, who hav- ing once been elected governor, has perpetuated himself in office for a year beyond the time for which he was chosen, by lawless defiance of the courts and laws, and now seeks further lease of power." The vote that year was the largest ever cast in Rhode Island. Gov. Brown polled 29,179 votes, and David S. Barker, Jr., Democrat, 22,924, the form- er's plurality being 6,255.
He was married at Providence, Oct. 14, 1874 to Isabel, daughter of Milton and Mary (Guild) Barrows. They had three children.
GOVERNORS OF RHODE ISLAND
291
WILLIAM GREGORY
Governor: 1900 to December 16, 1901.
Born: August 3, 1849 in Astoria, New York. Died: December 16, 1901 in Wickford, R. I. Buried: Allenton, R. I. Elmgrove Cemetery.
WILLIAM GREGORY was born at Astoria, New York, August 3rd, 1849, the son of Wil- liam Gregory. At the age of ten years he went to work in a mill at Moosup, Connecticut. Here he attended day school part time and night school in winter. In the early part of the Civil War the Gregorys were living in Westerly, Rhode Island, where young Gregory was employed as a designer. At the early age of sixteen he became a mill superintendent and afterward held similar positions in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He then went to New York city as manager and agent for the house of A. T. Stewart & Company. Some years later he acquired a woolen mill in Wickford, Rhode Island. He made his perma- nent residence in that village where he was president of the First National Bank, and was also a director of two large Providence banking institutions.
Mr. Gregory was elected a Representative from North Kingstown in 1888 and served as such for four years. In 1894 he was elected State Senator, and was re-elected in 1895 and 1896. He became Lieutenant Governor in April, 1898, and was re-elected in 1899. In 1900 he was elected Governor. He died on December 16th, 1901, a month after his re-elec- tion as Chief Executive. Mr. Gregory was Chairman of the Board of State Charities and Corrections. He married, in 1875, Harriet, daughter of Syria H. Vaughan of Wickford, who, with a son and daughter, survived him.
During Governor Gregory's administration the Constitution of the State was amended. establishing the sessions of the General Assembly at Providence commencing in January of each year. By this Act Newport ceased to be the second capital of the State. It was dur- ing his administration that the present State House was occupied by the state officers and he became the first governor to preside therein. Other important changes in the Act of amendment provided change in the date of the annual election of State officers from April to November, defined the duties and powers of the Grand Committee, and determined elections by plurality instead of majority vote.
THREE HUNDRED YEARS OF
292
HON. WILLIAM GREGORY 1900-1901 By H. Cyrus Farnum Southeast Corridor Second Floor of State House
Elmgrove Cemetery Allenton, R. I.
GOVERNORS OF RHODE ISLAND
293
CHARLES DEAN KIMBALL
Governor: December 16, 1901 to 1903.
Born: September 13, 1895 in Providence, Rhode Island.
Died: December 8, 1930 in Providence, Rhode Island. Buried: Providence, R. I. Swan Point Cemetery. Lot No. 11, Group 394, Catalpa Avenue.
KIMBALL, CHARLES DEAN, 43d governor of Rhode Island (1901-02) , was born in Providence, Rhode Island, Sept. 13, 1859, son of Emery Sheldon and Mary Charlott (Briggs) Kimball. His first American ancestor was Richard Kimball, who came from England about 1634 and settled at Ipswich, Mass. From him and his wife Ursule Scott the descent is through John and Mary Bradstreet; Joseph; Dean; Dean and Thankful Williams, granddaughter of Roger Williams; Jarvis and Phebe Irons, and Dean and Lydia Luther, the grandparents of Charles Dean Kimball.
After his graduation at the Providence high school. he entered the employ of Rice, Draper & Co., wholesale dealers in paints and oils, of Providence and later associated himself with the firm of Kimball & Colwell, pork packers, of which his father was one of the founders in 1873. He was admitted to the firm in 1888 and purchased his father's interest in the business in 1892. Kimball & Colwell were incorporated as the Kimball & Colwell Co. in 1900, Kimball becoming secretary and treasurer. He was elected to the Rhode Island house of representatives in 1894 and was annually re-elected until 1900 when he was elected lieutenant governor. On the death of Governor Gregory (q.v.) in December, 1901 he succeeded to the governorship. He was a candidate for reelec- tion but was defeated. While a member of the legislature he was chairman of a special committee to investigate the cotton industry of the state, and a number of other special committees.
As governor he recommended a revision of the tax laws to provide for taxation of tangible personal property in the town where it is located, and also a substantial veto pow- er for the governor and that elections to state office be held biennially instead of annual- ly, all of which recommendations were adopted. During 1903-13 he was a member of the board of managers of the Rhode Island college of agriculture and mechanic arts, which institution conferred on him the degree of A. M. in 1926, and he was a member of the state commission to mark historic sites in 1922 and the commission to erect a monument to Gen. Nathanael Greene in 1929. He was a Republican presidential elector in 1916. chairman of draft board No. 1 and deputy U. S. food administrator for Rhode Island dur- ing the World war I and served twice as U. S. commissioner of jurors. For several years he was president of the South Kingstown town council. He was a member of a visiting committee of Brown University and during 1925-29 was colonel of the Providence First Light Infantry Veterans. He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati Society of Col- onial Wars, Sons of the American Revolution, Descendants of Roger Williams, Rhode Is- land Historical Society, the Audubon Society, Rhode Island school of design, Providence chamber of commerce, and the F. & A. M. (32d degree).
He was a Congregationalist in religion and a former president of the Unitarian Club.
THREE HUNDRED YEARS OF
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HON. CHARLES DEAN KIMBALL 1901-1903 By Hugo Breul Southeast Corridor Second Floor of State House
Swan Point Cemetery Providence, R. I.
In business and public life he was progressive, efficient, enterprising, conscientious, just and honorable. He was married in Providence, R. I., Nov. 24, 1885, to Gertrude Chap- man daughter of John Bailey Greenhalgh, and they had a daughter, Marion Dean, who married (1) Ralph Vincent Hadley and (2) Walter Savage Ball. He died in Providence, R. I. Dec. 8, 1930.
GOVERNORS OF RHODE ISLAND
295
DEDICATION
July 4, 1954
GOVERNOR CHARLES DEAN KIMBALL AT SWAN POINT CEMETERY
Left to right: Dept. Commander American Legion Joseph Hackett, Lt. Governor John McKiernan, Ralph S. Mohr, Mrs. Marion Kimball H. Ball, Daughter of Governor Kimball, Governor Dennis J. Roberts, Brigadier General James A. Murphy, Brigadier General William J. Thibodeau.
296
THREE HUNDRED YEARS OF
ALFRED HENRY LITTLEFIELD (Continued from Page 270)
In politics he was a Whig until the formation of the Republican party, with which he had been identified. During the Rebellion he was very active in aiding the Union troops, and by personal effort and moneyed contributions greatly assisted the fam- ilies of soldiers. In 1864 he was appointed Division Inspector of the Rhode Island Militia, with the rank of Colonel, and held office for five years.
The township of Lincoln was set off from Smithfield and incorporated in 1871, and June, 1873, Mr. Littlefield was elected a member of the Town Council. He was re- elected in 1874, 1875, 1876, and 1877, after which he declined a re-election. In 1876 he was elected to represent Lincoln in the General Assembly, and re-elected in 1877. In 1878 he was elected to the State Senate, and re-elected in 1879. In March, 1880, he re- ceived the Republican nomination for Governor of Rhode Island, and at the election in April received 10,098 votes, while the Democratic nominee received 7,239, and a third candidate, 5,062. There being no choice by the people, as the law required a majority instead of a plurality vote, the election of Governor and Lieutenant-Governor devolved upon the General Assembly, and Mr. Littlefield was chosen Governor by a vote of 82 Republicans against 20 Democrats. He was re-elected by a large majority in 1881. His quick discernment, sound judgment, and superior executive ability eminently qualify him for the discharge of the duties of his high office.
He married, February 9, 1853, Rebecca Jane Northup, daughter of Ebenezer and Jane (Padwell) Northup, of Central Falls. They had four children: Ebenezer N .; Man- nie J .; George H .; and Alfred H., Jr.
HERBERT WARREN LADD (Continued from Page 282)
party, nominating James H. Chace. The latter received 3,597 votes; Ladd, 16,870; John W. Davis, Democrat, 21,289, and Harrison H. Richardson, Prohibitionist, 1,346. There being no choice by the people, the general assembly in grand committee voted, and placed Mr. Ladd in the chair. In his inaugural address, he urged the erection of a new state house, and was appointed by the assembly one of the commissioners to consider plans and recommend a site for it. The prohibitory amendment having been repealed, and a high license law enacted, the Republicans who left their party on that account, with others. formed a Union Reform party in 1890, and nominated Arnold B. Chace. Gov. Ladd was re-nominated, and polled 18,988 votes against 20,548 for ex-Gov. Davis, Democrat. The Union Reform and Prohibition candidates polled 752 and 1,820 votes respectively. and the choice again devolved upon the general assembly, which elected ex. Gov. Davis.
In 1891, ex-Gov. Ladd and ex-Gov. Davis were again rivals, the former receiving 20,995 votes and the latter 22,249, the general assembly deciding the issue, and seating Ladd. Gov. Ladd's administrations were acceptable to the people, and were brilliant so- cially, the chief events being dinners given at Newport to President Harrison and ex-Pres. Cleveland. Gov. Ladd was married in Providence, May 25, 1870, to Emma, daughter of Caleb G. Burrows, a prominent merchant. She died in 1889.
GOVERNORS OF RHODE ISLAND
297
LUCIUS FAYETTE CLARK GARVIN
Governor: 1903-1905.
War Service: Private, Massachusetts Volunteers, Civil War.
Born: November 13, 1841 in Knoxville, Tennesse.
Died: October 2. 1922 in Lonsdale, Cumberland, R. I.
Buried: Providence, R. I. Swan Point Cemetery.
Lot 41, Group 394 Catalpa Avenue.
GARVIN. LUCIUS FAYETTE CLARKE. governor of Rhode Island (1903-1905), was born in Knoxville. Tenn., Nov. 13, 1841, son of James and Sarah Ann (Gunn) Garvin. His father was a professor at East Tennessee university in Knoxville. He attended Guil- ford college, a Friends' boarding school near Greensboro, N. C., and was graduated A. B. at Amherst college in 1862. Immediately following his graduation he enlisted as a private in Company E, 51st Mass. volunteers, and served for a year in North Carolina, taking part in the battles of Whitehall, Kingston and Goldsboro. He was graduated M.D. at the Harvard medical school in 1867 and subsequently practiced medicine until his death at Lonsdale, R. I. In 1871 he was a delegate to the American Medical Association in San Francisco.
Until 1876 he was a Republican in politics. He was drawn into the Democratic party by his belief in free trade and by the fact that the Republicans in Rhode Island were upholding an oligarchy with suffrage still based on property in accordance with colonial laws, and representation in the legislature also unfair. For years he conducted an agita- tion for equal rights and the extension of the sufferage to foreign-born citizens and se- cured a strong following. In 1883 he was elected to represent the town of Cumberland in the state legislature and served for sixteen terms, including three as state senator. In 1920 he was again elected state senator. He gave special support to the passage of the ten- hour and ballot reform laws, to the bill establishing a bureau of industrial statistics, to the acts for factory inspection and plurality elections and to the amendments to the Con- stitution granting suffrage to foreign-born citizens. He was defeated in the gubernatorial elections of 1901 but in 1902 was elected governor, polling the largest vote ever cast for any governor of the state.
Prevented by a strong Republican legislature from pushing many reform measures, he relied upon speeches, special messages and contributions to the press to keep the meas- ures he advocated before the people. The most conspicuous of his many radical princi- ples was that the federal government was too complex to permit any fundamental reforms and that the city and the state were the true hopes of democracy. Believing that our fed- eral, state and municipal governments are undemocratic in practice he concluded that the remedy lies in the abolition of taxation and the establishment of just representation, as set forth in the following syllogisms: (1) earnings belong to the earner; economic rent is earned by all the people; therefore, economic rent belongs to all the people; (2) legisla- tive bodies should reflect the will of the people; legislative bodies elected by proportion- al representation best reflect the will of the people; therefore legislative bodies should be elected by proportional representation.
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